Tale Of Two Herons: An Attack

An unguarded nest is a target for Egrets to steal branches, or worse attack the young and take the nest for their own. This attack, a planned and structured method, took place over the course of several hours.

Note: a gallery here includes a large number of images not on this page. Click the gallery to view the full documented attack.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

First the Egret intimidates the young and tests to see how much they are able to protect themselves. A series of moves making them look larger, quick strikes to the nest itself, and then moving back to assess everything. It was really amazing how a bird had this so well planned.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Above the Egret makes moves to agitate the young, and make them use energy.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

After some time a lightning quick attack to grab or spear a young bird happens.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Here the juveniles act together to fight the attacker.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Click an image below to view the gallery. This is a step by step of the attack and the young birds beating back the Egret.

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Tale Of Two Herons, An Attack – Click To Enlarge

Several things were clear over the several hours this relentless attack took place. The first thing is if there had been a single chick, not uncommon, the Egret would have killed the chick. Also luck was in the chicks favor here.The attacker stopped when another Egret flew in. This gave the young time to rest, and an adult to come back.

The Egret victory is inevitable if a adult does not return within a reasonable time. Here the chicks were saved (yes, a happy ending here).

Great Egrets are one of the most beautiful birds in nature. I also believe they are among the most brutal.

12 thoughts on “Tale Of Two Herons: An Attack”

Thank you very much. Tale Of Two Herons is a project where we hope to document the young until they have fledged and moved on. Almost ended the other day. Another nest, just beyond was a duplicate of this, only one chick and the expected result. Nature is not fun some times.

I have taken so many photos I didn’t know which to do. This happens around the swamp every day. I have a few more large segments yet for this series. Then I can just grab shots as they grow (with luck).

I was surprised at first also. Watching them closer now I should not have been. They are aggressive with each other as well as all the others around them. They are probably the worst in the swamps. Hawks and eagles will attack, but the need to eat.